BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - Andrea King-Collier is the author of A Black Woman’s Guide to Black Men’s Health. This book has been reviewed as a “great read for any woman with a stubborn man.” The themes in this book are universal for women of any color who are concerned for the well-being of their partners.
In the spring of 2011, the trio comprised of urologist Dr. Stanley Frencher, the R&B musician Charlie Wilson, and author/health advocate Andrea King-Collier opened their hearts and voices to raise awareness of prostate cancer to an at-risk population of men, specifically African Americans. In Atlanta they presented at Morehouse School of Medicine; in NY and Chicago, two large Black-congregation churches hosted the events. Supported by US Too Prostate Cancer Education ( www.ustoo.com ) and sponsored by Jansen Biotech, the programs were well attended and included a surprising amount of dialog from men with prostate cancer.
Urologist Stanley K. Frencher, MD, author Andrea King-Collier, and prostate cancer survivor/R&B artist Charlie Wilson were the featured speakers for the Making Awareness a Priority (MAP) in NY, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Andrea remembers these events as a wonderful experience, where the communities were really positive and wanted more than information. They wanted to talk about prostate disease. “It surprised us; generally men don’t talk openly about this issue, but at these events, the stories poured out. Some were prostate cancer survivors like Charlie who was so powerful and willing to stand up and advocate for this community.”
Andrea brought a woman’s perspective to the discussion. “I am a wife, a daughter, constantly advocating for the men in my life. When I was researching my book in 2007, I talked to a wise doctor, Dr. Terry Mason (urologist and former health commissioner for Chicago). Now fast forward to Dr. Stanley Frencher with his refreshing message about bringing the message to where the men may listen – the barbershop.
According to Andrea, that message is still the same – “Information is power. The more you know about your body and how it works, the better you will be.” I felt optimistic after these events. “Women need to encourage our men to get tested, know their baseline PSA, and talk to their doctors about any symptoms that are troubling. We have a natural advantage -- we are more socialized to medicine. From the time of motherhood, to taking the little ones to the doctor for sniffles and vaccinations, to the teen years when moms make arrangements to schedule sports physicals or treat a sports injury, to our own women’s health exams. We are not as surprised by the variety of tests. The man is surprised by the digital rectal exam. Their fears are real.”
Andrea knows firsthand about those fears, and offers this lighthearted story: “I always schedule my husband’s annual physical, and on one occasion a digital rectal examine (DRE) was part of that physical. I was in the room keeping him company until the doctor was ready… and my husband didn’t see it coming. His eyes got so big! The next time he had his physical I couldn’t go with him, and he asked, "are they going to schedule that thing (code for DRE)?"
After the appointment I asked him how it was. The answer was “I’m just traumatized.”
"Did he hurt you?"
"No (said with an equal amount of indignation)."
"Will you live?"
"Yes.”
